Scotch Comes for a Visit

Our friends, Mike and Laura, had to go out of town for a week and we excitedly volunteered to watch their weinheimer dog, Scotch. It was great to see how much this big dog LOVES to cuddle! You can sit on the sofa or on the floor and he would hop right up next to you, turn around 3 times and then collapse right on your lap! We noticed also, because he has thin skin that he gets cold easily. We started covering him up with blankets and old towels and he would nudge his head under the blanket, so we started covering his whole face and he would give a big sigh of gratitude and give almost a purr once he was completely covered from head to toe!

what is that bundle of blanket between AJ's legs...


Oh, it's a huge 85 lb weinheimer!!!



That isn't even the funniest part. Laura mention that Scotch likes to sleep in bed with them and at first we weren't sure, but as soon as we climbed in, Scotch leaped up on our bed and walked up to our pillow and nuzzled his head under the covers and slinked his way down to the bottom of the bed, UNDER THE COVERS, and curled up in a little ball and went to sleep. We kept lifting up the covers to see if he could still breathe... AJ couldn't stop laughing either! He actually stayed out of our way and we didn't feel him much over the course of the night except when he got too hot, and would get out of the covers, go lay on the floor for about 3 minutes and then get back up into bed and we'd lift the covers and he'd crawl right back under them to the foot of the bed.

Just to show you how big he is, even though he can curl into a tiny ball,... this is a picture of one of the kids of AJ's study buddies who wanted his picture with Scotch by our tree... this is as close as the kid would get! HA!

Too funny!!! Needless to say, we're washing, blankets and sheets today now that he's gone but it certainly was fun having an 85lb snuggle bear follow you around all weekend! The walks in 20 degree weather were the best.... I guess you could say, AJ and I had forgotten all the things you do for a dog. As my mother would say, "it's best to watch and barrow someone else's dog so then at the end of the day, you can always give it back!"

We'll miss you Scotch! Thanks for a very snuggly, well-behaved, doggy weekend!

Christmas Party #1

Yes, I say #1 because we have 3 planned for this month. The first one was with AJ's MBA study group. We had 4 couples over for dinner last night. So that meant that I had one week from our countertops being installed to paint the kitchen, decorate the kitchen, plan the meal, shop for food, get a Christmas tree, decorate the Christmas tree, cook the food and host the party! Needless to say this husband and wife team Bachmann are AMAZING together! We are the planners and when it comes to hosting or completely a project, we are there with bells on our toes!

Here are some pictures from the evening, including some of the new paint color we selected (from my little sister's suggestion) , the new countertops and green christmas accents! Needless to say the food was hot, bellys were full, and the house is feeling more Christmas-y by the day!

So, bring on party #2 next weekend!

First Snow in Anne Arundel County

While I was painting last Sunday I got a phone call from AJ from the coffee shop down teh street (he went to study) that it was snowing! I was standing right next to our porch doors but completely missed it! So while there was still some light I took a few pictures of our Thanksgiving pumpkins (still in great shape, by the way...) with fresh snow on them!

I'm soooo looking forward to more snow this winter!!!

Countertops are HERE!!!

So yes, we went through the 3 weeks long process of picking out granite, type, then color, then selecting our slab from the warehouse and then having it installed on Friday, December 5th! We were so excited! They look beautiful! The color we got was called white spring and has brown/tan tones on a white background with black marbled specks through it with of course lots of peral, silver sparkle.

Fastinating process to watch as well! The guys who installed it even let me take their picture!!

Giving Thanks, even for the little things

I just heard a sermon on this on the radio last week and I felt the need to share it with everyone. It's on the tpoic of giving thanks to God for even the exciting things and the bad things.

Luke 17:11-19 Ten Healed of Leprosy

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

CW's Commentary: This one man came back to Thank Jesus out of all 10 who prayed and asked Jesus to heal them. If we pray to ask God for a blessing and he blesses us in a way we expect or even in ways we don't expect, we should still praise and THANK him for answering our prayer in the way that is best according to HIM. It's not about what we want in life, it's about God's purpose for our life.

So during this thanksgiving season, don't forget to thank God when paryers are answered according to our will or according to God's. It's all apart of His plan for our lives. Set yourselves apart and BE THANKFUL!

God Bless!

Bachmann BOO BASH!

We didn't get to hold our 4th of July party this year with friends so we decided to have a HAlloween party which I've never done. In fact I hate all the decorations and things. I had the worst time at the dollar store picking them out and then I didn't even put them up until the day of my party because I didn't want to look at all the wired and funky balck and orange decor around my house every day. Only hours after the party was over, I took them all back down again!

We had TONS of food and everyone brought plenty of drinks! We had about 30 people totally show up and what made it fun was all the costumes!! We had some pretty creative ones! We had a bon fire in our fire pitt on the deck, we had a bunch of games going too that kept us awak until 3am! Here are some snap shots of the evening.

Melissa and Bob were from the movie JUNO. You should have seen Bob's shorts! HA!

The Maragni couple were Secret Agents for Laura Bush (GW Bush's daughter who lives in Baltimore)

And here is AJ, trying to do a skit while asking Brittany (the Penguine) to feed her some amazing Oero Pastachio Dessert she made.

The Delware Gals!

Somehow there was only ONE picture taken of my outfit... not the best, and I made the dress too!

New APPLIANCES!!!!

So, we have been wanting new kitchen appliances since we moved in the house. The current ones are the originals with the home (8 years old) and a "nice" almond color to match the counter tops. So I finally saved up enough money in my "house fund" and I did ALL the research to the features I wanted, the prices and where to buy it. I looked at Home Depot, Sears, Lowes and Best Buy.

I ended up with Frigidaire (made by Electrolux) from Lowes. So AJ was excited and we went to go see them in the store to make sure they looked ok and had the specs we saw online (of course, I went in with product numbers, and pictures and specs of EACH item and asked the guy to show me each one, he was impressed I was so organized!).

So AJ was so excited to take a before and after movie of our appliances (hope they work). AJ and his father took 4 hours to install everything themselves but it saved us about $800 instead of paying to have Lowes install them. Thank you, Honey!

Next step, granite counter tops, being installed after Thanksgiving with new warm colored walls (the stainless steal appliances and the mint green walls make it look too cold). Stay tuned!

Angie's Birthday Party

My sister-in-law, Angie Thuman, turned 30 on October 10th and AJ planned a night out for her at a local restaurant. We drove up to Padonia Station in Timonium and met AJ's other sister, Stephanie, Angie and of course their husbands. Her favorite local band was playing that night (but didn't come on until 11pm... so late for most of us). But we stayed and got to hear a few of their songs,... very loudly.

I guess that's the sign you're getting old if the music is loud and the band is playing way past your bed time! But Angie and Stephanie had a great time! We all pitched in to get Angie an amazing mp3 player that does EVERYTHING and a gift card for her dinner and drinks for the night. Here are some pictures to share the memory!

SIBLINGS! Angie, AJ, and Stephanie

US!

Baugher's Farm

AJ and I got invited to participate in his family's Fall tradition this year. They go to Baugher's Farm which is another orchard/farm up in Westminster, MD. We ate at a very country resturant where Mattie and I got a little board so did a few poses for AJ.

Then everyone headed out to the petting farm where all the goats and donkeys and chickens walk around in this big area where you can feed them. I figured out quickly they didn't like me and AJ kept making me try and hug one for a picture. He even tried to get Tim, our brother-in-law to put him in a head lock... we have a picture of the attempt!

This is me a little frustrated...

Finally, I suckered in a different goat to tollerate me.

Alexa, Stephanie and Tim's daughter, was super excited for the ice cream!

All in all, it was a beautiful Fall day to be outside. The only thing AJ wanted was a cup of apple cider and every place we went on the farm was totally out of it! Needless to say, he was mad. HA!

Last of the Flowers...

So like I mentioned in a previous blog, we re-landscaped our backyard once we put the fence in. But I didn't get a chance to take the pictures right after we planted the flowers so you can't see how small they all started. You can't see the sun flowers in these pictures but I caught the other flowers just before the first frost, look how huge they are!!

Fall Camping!

So we went back to our FAVORITE cabins in Shannadoha Valley a few weeks back with my brother and his family. It was just as we remember but better with crisp fall air and all of the leaves were changing on the mountain side!! Not only did AJ and I get to spend more time with our CUTE little blonde neices, but we got to relax too! AJ got the girls excited every day about finding sticks to build a big bon fire int he fire pit the cabin had out back.


It was beautiful! Just to name a few of the activities we did: Visited an apple orchard, fed some horses, went to a republican pig roast (hey, it was free food), of course went hiking, and relaxed in the hot tub when we had time! Here are some of the snap shots!

New Hair and Some Flare!

So, I finally bit the bullet and got my hair done by a "real, professional" hair salon. I have been procrastinating because being a blonde, or at least trying to be a blonde, takes frequent "touch-ups" which, of course, cost money. So For the past 4 years I've gone to Hair Cuttery for my highlights. After having my friend Brittany over (also a "touch-up" blonde), her hair looked so good and I was determined to just bite the bullet even if I could only afford once a year.

I went to this wonderful new little place my mother (not a blonde) goes to all the time and her prices weren't too bad from the flyer. After she finished and even gave me a cut that just made my hair look so "neat" I gave her the biggest tip ever! (and for those of you who know me, I'm NOT a big tipper) My hair felt light even those she let me keep my length and trimmed up my long, growing out bangs. It looked so good! AJ was really excited to see me since he loves my hair as blonde as it can be. So here is my salute to you all those other "touch-up" blondes out there who pay rediculous amounts of money for a good hair cut, I believe I am convinced (even those my little sister has told me this ever since she entered high school almost 10 years ago) it's worth it!

I made AJ take a few pictures of it all curled to show my mother who loves my hair that way. This is for you Mom!

Ravens Game

So AJ got tickets from his boss at work to club level seating at the first Ravens game of the season! Neither of us had ever been before and it was seriouisly the coolest event ever! I don't think I would ever pay $300 a ticket but it was a nice experience to try.

After the national anthem 4 planes flew over the stadium and gave both of us chills! It was neat! We were probably the ONLY two people there with NO Raven's attire on, but we still had fun. AJ even leaned in to kiss me before the game on my check and the guy behind us was like "there is no kissing in football!" He was half kidding but I'm sure, half serious,... or just jealous! ;o)

Here are some of the highlights, Did you know the Ravens have a band too??!!!

Missing a Puppy...

Oh my, even if you aren't a fan of dogs... EVERYONE loves puppies!

WATCH THIS!!!!

http://www.marleyandmemovie.com/

Anyone seen this preview yet? I almost cried missing my baby Maverick...

Yard Work can be fun!

So, AJ has been out of commission for the entire golf season this year because we decided to put a fence in our back yard by ourselves. We actually saved 50% by doing it ourselves but it cost AJ his 2008 golf season. He hurt his wrist badly using the one man auger to drill the poles for the fence posts. We got it done in one whole Saturday, but it was work!

The next day, we re-landscaped our entire backyard and put in raised garden beds, a new tree, tons of flowers, and some pond rocks to outline the AC unit and trash can area next to our deck. I thought I spread my flowers out enough, but WOW, they are taking over the yard! I even grew our first home-grown tomato plants! They are delicious and producing a lot of tomatoes! Our daily appetizer before dinner is tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil I’ve been growing also! There is nothing more satisfying then seeing the fruits (literally) of your labor!

Here are a few pictures of our 10 foot tall sun flowers in one of our corners and some of our tomato crop! More flower pictures later!

Hiking Fun!

Here are more pictures of our hiking adventures in Ohiopyle, PA! We even had a little ice cream in the rapids, too!

Where's Waldo,... I mean Christina??

Anniversary Gifts

So because our two year anniversary was on a Wednesday and AJ had class, we decided to spread out our celebration a little bit over the week… well, actually, the month. The Sunday before, AJ took me out to this AMAZING restaurant right in Waugh Chapel, it’s called Four Seasons, and it was so good! We got appetizers and a full dinner and even dessert! We were stuffed! And there is no feeling “pretty or sexy” when you’re stuffed! So early bed time it was!

Tuesday night of the week, I put a ton of our extra 8x10 wedding pictures all over the house where I know AJ would see them when he got home late from class. With each one I put a post-it with a little encouraging phrase or joyful line about our marriage and future together. Then, as my sisters know, I can get a little out of hand with the post-its, and I started putting them everywhere! In his underwear drawer, in the shower stall, in his dress shoes, on his shaving cream, in his book bag, etc. He loved it! He thought it was pretty cute, that I thought of all of his regular visits around the house before he gets into bed to great me as one happily married man! ;o)

The next morning, the day of our official anniversary, he gave me a little note while I was still in bed that said “These have been the best two years of my life and I look forward to growing our marriage stronger everyday. I love you, AJ.” I thought that was so nice, he even typed it up and I hugged him, and he’s like, “wait, I haven’t even given it to you yet!” I laughed because I thought that was it! I’m not one to expect big things, and he handed me a little navy blue box! I opened it and it was a huge, real, single pearl pendant necklace! It had a 1/8carat diamond on top of the large white pearl. I had been wanting a single pendant pearl necklace for a while so I can wear it dressed up and dressed down. This was perfect! I couldn’t have picked anything better myself! I think I’ve probably worn it almost everyday! It just seems to go with every outfit and you’d be surprised how proud a guy gets to see his girl wear his gift as often as possible! Thank you, Baby! So, that morning, I decided to share with AJ my anniversary gift to him. I had one overnight planned in August (when he was finally done his classes) and we were doing something adventurous but I couldn’t tell him what. He loves surprises, but he’s also great and ruining them and figuring them out early! AJ had never been white water rafting and I knew he would love the rush and adventure, especially trying something new! This is the man who always talks about how great it would be to be dropped out of a plane in the Amazon forest and find his way out (does any other guy watch that TV show “Man vs. wild”??).

So it was a 3 hour drive to Ohiopyle, PA so I figured we’d camp out in our tent in the national park campgrounds close to the river. I had saved up some money from my piano lessons to spend on this trip, so we couldn’t see any trace of the trip on my credit card! Of course, AJ was just dying to know and I told him about two weeks before the trip what we were doing. He was SO excited! He couldn’t wait! I got everything packed the night before and he prepared all the wood and fire things for the open campfire we’d have, and off we went on Friday (august 22nd) morning at 6am to get there by 10:30am for our white water rafting trip! To make a really long story short… AJ and I had a blast! I let him be the captain of our rafting (there were 4 of us total) and the guides are in kayaks as we went down Class III rapids! We didn’t fall in, but we did come close a few times. The only thing AJ could say when we got back was, “Next time we’re doing Class V rapids!” For those of you who don’t know much about white water, Class V is the highest rapids you can go, it’s about a 225 feet per mile drop down the river and class III rapids are about 25 foot drop per mile down the river.

Either way, he loved it and can’t wait to go again! Camping out in the dark in a tent is really hard to fall asleep with everything so quiet except a few of my “gasp’s” and “did you hear that?” over night. There is nothing better than sitting around an open fire first thing in the morning and hearing the quiet of the mountain! We love the outdoors!!! Needless to say, it was a great 2 year anniversary and I can’t wait for next years! ;o)